Pakistan wins by six wicket and becomes the first team to advance to the finals of the ICC WT20. The way Pakistani batsmen launched their attacked it looked liked they would chase the required target well under 20 overs. But New Zealand bowlers, although late, were successful in making inroads. The Kiwis had their chances but they squnadered it with some sloppy fielding. Few quick wickets in the end did make this one way affair a bit interesting but Pakistan held their nerves and took some vital singles and kept rotating the strikes which was a safe ploy as the run rate was just under six.

18.3 J Patel to Misbah, Misbah works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. 139/4

With this six Pakistan now need six runs from 10 balls.

18.2 J Patel to Misbah, Misbah has lofted it over Patel. Up

18.1 J Patel to Misbah, Misbah comes down the track and does well to defend it. Dot ball 132/4

18 D Vettori to Misbah, Misbah has played it through mid-wicket. The batsmen have run through for a single. 132/4

17.5 D Vettori to S Malik, Driven through the leg side by Malik. The batsmen have run through for a single. 131/4

17.4 D Vettori to Misbah, Pushed to the cover region by Misbah. One run added to the total. 130/4

17.3 D Vettori to Misbah, Misbah has played that with the full face of the bat. 129/4

17.2 D Vettori to Misbah, Driven through the leg side by Misbah. Two runs added to the total. 129/4

17.1 D Vettori to Misbah, Ball hits Misbah low on the pads. The fielding side is asking the question. Umpire Taufel decides Misbah is not out. 127/4

17 J Patel to Misbah, Punched off the backfoot by Misbah. One run added to the total. 127/4

16.5 J Patel to Misbah, That’s hit Misbah on his pads. 126/4

16.4 J Patel to S Malik, Punched off the backfoot by Malik. One run conceded. 126/4

16.3 J Patel to S Malik, Malik comes down the track and connects The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Harper signals a boundary. 125/4

16.2 J Patel to Misbah, Misbah flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. 121/4

16.1 J Patel to S Malik, Driven through the leg side by Malik. One run added to the total. 120/4

16 S Styris to S Malik, Malik drives through the leg side. One run added to the total. 119/4

15.5 S Styris to Misbah, Misbah has played it through mid-wicket. One run conceded. 118/4

15.4 S Styris to Misbah, Misbah has pushed it to the cover region. 117/4

15.3 S Styris to Misbah, Pushed to the cover region by Misbah. 117/4

15.2 S Styris to S Malik, Driven through the leg side by Malik and he will get a single for that. 117/4

15.1 S Styris to Misbah, Misbah drives through the leg side. One run added to the total. 116/4

15 S Bond to S Malik, Malik has just lofted it over mid off. Two runs added to the total. 115/4

14.5 S Bond to S Malik, Unusual bounce. Too high to worry Malik! Umpire Harper has signalled a wide. He gets a bounce of a tennis ball here. 113/4

14.5 S Bond to Misbah, Misbah has played that with the full face of the bat. One run added to the total. 112/4

14.4 S Bond to Misbah, Left alone by Misbah. 111/4

Misbah-ul-Haq comes into bat

14.3 S Bond to S Afridi, OUT – Afridi just lofts it over mid off. That is easy pickings for Fulton. Pakistan have lost their fourth wicket and they still need 33 of 33 balls 111/4

14.2 S Bond to S Afridi, Afridi has taken the risk and lofted it over the in field. The ball races to the boundary. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Harper. Can Bond strike back? 111/3Bond is brought back into the attack

14.1 S Bond to S Malik, Driven through the covers by Malik for a single . 107/3

14 D Vettori to S Afridi, Afridi has played that with the full face of the bat. 106/3

13.4 D Vettori to S Afridi, Punched off the backfoot by Afridi. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. Vincent has been hit on the head here by Patel who aimed it at stumps. It looks nasty on screen by Vincent says carry on 106/3

13.3 D Vettori to Y Khan, OUT – Khan has knicked that one. McCullum takes a superb catch. Pakistan have lost their third wicket. Will there be a twist? 104/3

13.2 D Vettori to S Malik, Malik rocks onto the backfoot and punches the ball for a single 104/2

13.1 D Vettori to Y Khan, Khan has played it through mid-wicket. One run conceded. 103/2

1.5 M Gillespie to I Nazir, Nazir plays the Square-Cut. The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Taufel signals a boundary. Nazir has upped the ante. 20/0

1.4 M Gillespie to I Nazir, Punched off the backfoot by Nazir. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. 16/0

1.3 M Gillespie to I Nazir, Nazir has played the square drive. The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Taufel signals a boundary. 14/0

1.2 M Gillespie to I Nazir, Nazir has edged the ball. The ball races to the boundary. That mysteriously passes through first slip and wicketkeeper. 10/0

1.1 M Gillespie to I Nazir, Defended off the front foot by Nazir. 6/0

1 S Bond to M Hafeez, Hafeez has nudged the ball fine down the leg side. Two runs conceded. 6/0

0.5 S Bond to M Hafeez, Defended off the front foot by Hafeez. 4/0

0.4 S Bond to M Hafeez, Hafeez has played it through mid-wicket. 4/0

0.3 S Bond to M Hafeez, Hafeez flicks it away with a wristy shot. Taylor goes for a direct hit but misses the stumps. That was close! 4/0

0.2 S Bond to M Hafeez, Defended off the front foot by Hafeez. 4/0

0.1 S Bond to M Hafeez, Hafeez elegantly drives through the covers. The ball has crossed the ropes. What a promising start for Hafeez and pakistan 4/0

Shane Bond will make first use of the new ball for New Zealand.

Pakistan sticks to regular openers Imran Nazir and Mohammad Hafeez.

First InningsBatting : New ZealandBowling : Pakistan

Excellent overs at the start by new ball bowlers Gul and Tanvir promised a close semi-final contest and New Zealand did well to reach fifty without losing any wickets. But once the openers were dismissed, the Kiwis found it difficult to keep the run-rate going and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Umar Gul bowled exceptionally well conceding just 13 from four overs and breaking New Zealand’s back with four crucial wickets. The lethargic running between the wickets added to New Zealand woes. Ross Taylor stuck to his task and stuck two sixes to help New Zealand post a fighting total.

20 M Asif to R Taylor, Taylor has top edged that one. Akmal has dropped the catch. One run added to the total. 143/8

19.5 M Asif to R Taylor, Taylor has driven it through the off side. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. 142/8

19.4 M Asif to R Taylor, Taylor goes after a wide one and misses. Poor delivery by Asif. 140/8

19.3 M Asif to R Taylor, Played through mid-wicket by Taylor. The ball races to the boundary. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Taufel. 140/8

19.2 M Asif to R Taylor, It’s been lofted over Mid-on by Taylor. That was six from the time it left the bat of Taylor. Six signalled by Umpire Taufel. Good start for New Zealand 136/8

19.1 M Asif to R Taylor, It’s been lofted over Mid-on by Taylor. The ball has crossed the ropes. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Taufel. 130/8

19 S Tanvir to S Bond, OUT – Driven through the off side by Bond. Bond is short of his crease as Akmal removes the bails. The batsmen have run through for a single. New Zealand have lost their eighth wicket. 126/8

18.5 S Tanvir to S Bond, Bond has dug out that yorker at the last second. 125/7

18.4 S Tanvir to R Taylor, Driven through the off side by Taylor. The batsmen have run through for a single. 125/7

18.3 S Tanvir to S Bond, Driven through the covers by Bond. One run added to the total. 124/7

18.2 S Tanvir to R Taylor, Taylor plays a sweep shot. That is easy pickings for . Umpire Harper has signalled a no ball for foot-fault. The next delivery will be a free hit. 123/7

18.2 S Tanvir to R Taylor, Taylor has dug out that yorker at the last second. 121/7

18.1 S Tanvir to S Bond, Driven through the leg side by Bond. One run added to the total. 121/7

18 U Gul to S Bond, Driven through the covers by Bond. The batsmen have run through for a single. 120/7

17.5 U Gul to R Taylor, Driven through the off side by Taylor. The batsmen have run through for a single. 119/7

17.4 U Gul to R Taylor, Taylor has dug out that yorker at the last second. 118/7

17.3 U Gul to S Bond, Bond has played it to the point region. One run conceded. 118/7

17.2 U Gul to R Taylor, Driven through the leg side by Taylor. The batsmen have run through for a single. 117/7

17.1 U Gul to R Taylor, Taylor has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 116/7

17 M Hafeez to S Bond, Defended off the back foot by Bond. Pakistan are right on top. 116/7

16.5 M Hafeez to R Taylor, Played through mid-wicket by Taylor. One run conceded. 116/7

16.4 M Hafeez to R Taylor, It’s been lofted over Mid-on by Taylor. Up

16.3 M Hafeez to R Taylor, Taylor guides it to third man. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. 109/7

16.2 M Hafeez to R Taylor, OUT – Taylor flicks it away with a wristy shot. Good pick up and throw by Hafeez to run Vettori out. Confusion amongst the Kiwi batsmen results in a sad run-out 107/7

16.1 M Hafeez to R Taylor, Taylor has punched the ball off the backfoot. 106/6

Hafeez is introduces in the attack

Vettori is the new batsman for New Zealand

16 U Gul to J Oram, OUT – Oram has edged it. That is easy pickings for Akmal. New Zealand have lost their sixth wicket. Superb bowling by Gul 106/6

15.5 U Gul to J Oram, Oram just manages to keep the yorker out. Good ball bowled by Gul. 106/5

15.4 U Gul to J Oram, Oram lets that bouncer go past his head. 106/5

15.3 U Gul to R Taylor, Gul goes for a direct hit but misses the stumps for the second time in a row. Taylor needs to get the message across to Oram as the Kiwis cannot afford to lose a wicket now 106/5

15.2 U Gul to R Taylor, Taylor has played that off the front foot and into the ground. Gul goes for a direct hit but misses the stumps. 105/5

15.1 U Gul to J Oram, Oram defends it off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single. 105/5

Oram comes into bat

15 F Alam to C McMillan, OUT – McMillan comes down the track and connects

14.5 F Alam to C McMillan, It’s been lofted over Mid-on by McMillan. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. 104/4

14.4 F Alam to C McMillan, McMillan charges down the wicket Up

14.3 F Alam to R Taylor, Driven through the off side by Taylor. The batsmen have run through for a single. 96/4

14.2 F Alam to R Taylor, Taylor rocks onto the backfoot and punches the ball. McMillan makes it to the crease despite a direct throw by Hafeez. Umpire Harper takes the help of the Third Umpire. Third Umpire shows the green signal for McMillan. 95/4

14.1 F Alam to R Taylor, Taylor works it down the leg side. Two runs added to the total. 93/4

14 U Gul to C McMillan, McMillan has attempted to play that one – but missed. 91/4

13.5 U Gul to C McMillan, Played to the point region by McMillan. The ball has crossed the ropes. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Taufel. A fultoss by Gul outside the off and McMillan finds the gap. 91/4

13.4 U Gul to C McMillan, McMillan ducked in time to let that one go over him. 87/4McMillan comes into bat after a dash of two quick wickets.

13.3 U Gul to P Fulton, OUT – Fulton has punched that ball through the offside. That is easy pickings for Malik New Zealand have lost their fourth wicket. Two wickets in a row. 87/4

13.2 U Gul to P Fulton, Top edge! The ball is in the air. Two runs conceded. 87/3

Taylor comes into bat at the fall of Styris’s wicket

13.1 U Gul to S Styris, OUT – Styris has lofted it over covers. It’s been taken at the boundary by Tanvir. New Zealand have lost their third wicket. 85/3

13 S Afridi to S Styris, Pushed to the cover region by Styris. Akmal collects the ball cleanly to run Styris out. Umpire Harper signals towards the Third Umpire who declars him not out. 85/2

12.5 S Afridi to P Fulton, Fulton guides it to third man. One run added to the total. 84/2

12.4 S Afridi to P Fulton, Fulton has driven it through the off side. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. 83/2

12.3 S Afridi to P Fulton, Ball hits Fulton low on the pads. 81/2

12.2 S Afridi to S Styris, The ball strikes Styris very low on the pads Umpire Harper signals Leg Bye. One run added to the total. 81/2

11 S Afridi to P Fulton, Fulton plays the pull-shot. One run added to the total. 75/2

10.5 S Afridi to P Fulton, Fulton has played that with the full face of the bat. 74/2

10.4 S Afridi to P Fulton, The ball hits the pads of Fulton. The fielding side is asking the question. Umpire Harper isn’t interested in the appeal. 74/2

Fulton is the new batsman for New Zealand

10.3 S Afridi to B McCullum, OUT – The ball strikes McCullum very low on the pads The fielding side are asking the question. Umpire Harper raises his finger. New Zealand have lost their second wicket. 74/2

10.2 S Afridi to S Styris, Styris has played it fine down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. 74/1

10.1 S Afridi to B McCullum, McCullum has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total. 73/1

10 F Alam to S Styris, Styris has punched the ball off the backfoot. 72/1

9.5 F Alam to S Styris, Styris plays a sweep shot. That was six from the time it left the bat of Styris. Up go the arms of Umpire Taufel. 72/1

9.4 F Alam to B McCullum, McCullum has played that with the full face of the bat. One run conceded. 66/1

9.3 F Alam to S Styris, Played through mid-wicket by Styris. One run conceded. 65/1

9.2 F Alam to B McCullum, McCullum plays the pull-shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. 64/1

9 S Afridi to B McCullum, McCullum has flicked the ball off his pads. One run conceded. 61/1

8.5 S Afridi to S Styris, Styris guides it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single. 60/1

8.4 S Afridi to S Styris, Elegantly played to the point region by Styris and he effectively finds the gap. The ball races to the boundary. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Harper. 59/1

8.3 S Afridi to S Styris, Styris has flicked the ball off his pads for a couple. 55/1

8.2 S Afridi to B McCullum, McCullum has punched the ball off the backfoot. The batsmen have run through for a single. 53/1

8.1 S Afridi to S Styris, Driven through the leg side by Styris for a single. 52/18 F Alam to S Styris, Styris works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. 51/1

Styris comes at the fall of Vincent’s wicket

7.5 F Alam to Lou Vincent, OUT – Vincent has driven it straight down the ground. Alam has taken a catch off his own bowling. New Zealand have lost their first wicket. Alam strikes in his first over 50/1

7.4 F Alam to Lou Vincent, Played through mid-wicket by Vincent. Two runs conceded. 50/050 up for New Zealand.

7.3 F Alam to B McCullum, McCullum has driven it through the off side. One run conceded. 48/07.2 F Alam to B McCullum, McCullum fails to put bat on ball. 47/0

7.1 F Alam to Lou Vincent, Vincent has punched the ball off the backfoot. The batsmen have run through for a single. 47/0

6.5 S Afridi to B McCullum, McCullum has played it to the point region. McCullum scampers to the crease as Akmal removes the bails. Umpire Harper signals towards the Third Umpire. Third Umpire shows the green signal for McCullum. 46/0

6.4 S Afridi to B McCullum, McCullum has punched the ball off the backfoot. 46/0

6.3 S Afridi to B McCullum, McCullum has played it fine down the leg side. Two runs added to the total. 46/0

Play resume after a short rain break.

6.2 S Afridi to Lou Vincent, Vincent defends it off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single. 44/0

6.1 S Afridi to B McCullum, Played to the point region by McCullum. One run conceded. 43/0

6.0 S Afridi to B McCullum, The ball is way wide on the leg side but McCullum still goes after it Umpire Harper signals a wide. 42/0

Shahid Afridi is introduced in the attack

New Zealand manage 41-0 from the PowerPlay overs.

6 S Tanvir to B McCullum, McCullum works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. 41/0

5.5 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, Punched off the backfoot by Vincent. One run added to the total. 40/0

5.4 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, Driven through the covers by Vincent for a couple. 39/0

5.3 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, Vincent has driven it straight down the ground. 37/0

5.2 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, Vincent has attempted to play that one – but missed. 37/0

4 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, Vincent follows the six with a boundary. He plays the pull-shot and the ball races away. 29/0

3.5 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, It’s a clean strike over mid wicket by Vincent. That was six from the time it left the bat of Vincent. Up go the arms of Umpire Taufel. First six of the innings. 25/03.4 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, Played to the point region by Vincent. Two runs added to the total. 19/0

3.3 S Tanvir to B McCullum, McCullum has played that with the full face of the bat. One run added to the total. New Zealand batsmen are rotating the strike well. 17/0

3.2 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, Defended off the back foot by Vincent. One run conceded. 16/0

3.1 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, The ball strikes Vincent very low on the pads 15/0

3 M Asif to B McCullum, McCullum plays the Square-Cut. The ball races to the boundary. He got a width this time and was quick to dispatch it. 15/0

2.5 M Asif to B McCullum, McCullum has played it through mid-wicket. The ball crosses the line despite a late diving effort by Alam. Umpire Harper signals a boundary. 11/0

2.4 M Asif to Lou Vincent, Vincent has flicked the ball off his pads for a single. 7/0

2.3 M Asif to B McCullum, Defended off the front foot by McCullum. One run conceded. 6/0

2.1 M Asif to Lou Vincent, Defended off the front foot by Vincent. One run conceded. 5/0

2 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, Played to the point region by Vincent. One run added to the total. Excellent start by Tanvir. 4/0

1.5 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, Vincent goes after a wide one and misses. 3/0

1.4 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, Vincent has played it to the point region. 3/0

1.3 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, The ball is too wide on the off side for Vincent to make any contact. 3/0

1.2 S Tanvir to Lou Vincent, Vincent has attempted to play that one – but missed. His action is deceptive. 3/0

1.1 S Tanvir to B McCullum, McCullum gets a leading edge on that one. The batsmen have run through for a single. 3/0

Sohail Tanvir will share the new ball

1 M Asif to Lou Vincent, Defended off the front foot by Vincent. 2/0

0.5 M Asif to B McCullum, McCullum has punched the ball off the backfoot. One run conceded. 2/0

0.4 M Asif to B McCullum, McCullum has attempted to play that one – but missed. 1/0

0.3 M Asif to Lou Vincent, Vincent defends it off the back foot. One run conceded. 1/0

0.2 M Asif to Lou Vincent, Vincent fails to put bat on ball. 0/0

0.1 M Asif to Lou Vincent, Vincent appears to have been struck on the thigh-pad. 0/0

Vincent and McCullum will start the proceeding for New ZealandMohammad Asif is the new ball bowler for Pakistan.

New Zealand elects to bat first after winning the toss.It’s the first semi-final of the inaugural ICC WT20 and we will be covering the live action from Johannesburg where Pakistan and New Zealand square off today. Pakistan was the first team to make it to this stage and New Zealand would like to thank India as their stupendous show in the last game helped knocked out the hosts South Africa.

Both teams are struggling with their top order and have been relying heavily on the middle-order in this event. It promises to be a contest of the spinners as both Vettori and Afridi are gunning for the coveted ‘Bowler of the tournament award.’ New Zealand would like to make most of this opportunity as they tend crumble in the semis of the major ICC events. Shoaib Malik has given a new dimension to the Pakistani outfit and a lot will depend on him to guide his team to the finals.